Pipe-coupling



J. ELDER.

PIPE COU PL|NG.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 13. I9I8.

1,365,025. lemma Jan,.v.11, 1921..

a SHEETS-'SHEET I.

` mill/111 @nvm/Ifo@ JaJz Elder J. ELDER.

PIPE couPLlNG.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I3, I9I8.

1,365,025. l Patented Jim 11,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. ELDER.

PIPE COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. I3. I9I8.

1,365,025. Patented Jan. 11,1921.

@ IM www pg@ PATENT*A OFFICE.

JOHN ELDER, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

PIPE-COUPLING.

Application led November 13, 1918.

T 0 all whom' it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN ELDER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the borough of Brookl n, county of Kings, city and State of New -vork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pipe- Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to provide a system of pipe couplings of simple and eiiicient construction, for making connections for two, three, or more pipes or conduits, the device comprising but few parts, securing tight joints without requiring the use of ywashers even in the case of high Huid pressure, and being of special advantage on account of its adaptability for use in cramped positions, where but little space is available between the 4ends or pipes to .be connected, particularly in. cases where the springing or swinging of the parts to be connected is impossible or feasible only to a limited extent.

Without desiring to limit myself to the specific forms of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and with the -understanding that my invention may be applied even to couplings having more than four connections, I will now proceed to eX- plain in detail the use of my system in couplings for four, three, and two connections respectively.

In the said drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section showing a four-connection.

pipe coupling embodying my invention; ig. l is a sectional view illustrating the manner of applying this coupling; Fig. 1b is a sectional view showing how the coupling represented in Figs. 1 and lL may be conveniently tied for packing and shipment; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing another form used as a three-connection coupling, although this same form may-also be used as a four-connection coupling; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vsection showing a threeconnection coupling constructed according to my invention; Fig. 4 is a similar view of another form used as a two-connection coupling, although it may also be used as a three-connection coupling in the same manner as in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows la construction similar to Fig. 4, with the exception that one of the connections is at 45,o to the other, instead Of 90;.Figsl6, 7, and 8, illustrate a two-connection coupling embodying my invention, showing said coupling at three suc- Speefication of Letters Patent.

'ples 15, 16, 1 .the central chamber of the body member 10 Patented Jan. 11, 1921:.

serial No. 262,278.

cessive stages of its application; and Fig. 9

is a longitudinal section illustrating an instance of asituation in which the cou lin shown 1n Figs. 6, 7 and 8 may be emplbye advantageously.

.In Fig. 1, the improved coupling consists of a body member 10 which is somewhat in the shape of a cross, having four nteriorly-threaded connections or tubular prolor outer ends of the nipples 15, 16, andv 17 are preferablyv screw-threaded externally, for connection with the parts in conjunction with which the coupling is to be used; thus, the nipples 15 and 17 are shown in threaded connection with pipes 18 and 19 respectively, while the nipple 16 screws into a sleeve 20 which connects said nipple with-a pipe 21. The inwardly-tapering internal thread of the connection 14 is shown in engagement with the correspondingly-tapered external thread on a pipe 22. Inasmuch as the nipare screwed outwardly from at the time of effecting their connection with the parts 18, 20, and 19 respectively, a special relation of dimensions is necessary 4in order to enable these nipples to be placed in position within the body member 10. In the particular instance illustrated, the width of the opening at the connection 12 is suiiiciently greater than the largest external diameter ofthe nipple 15 to allow the latter to be inserted through said opening. Similarly, the opening of the connection 14 is of suiiicient width to allow the nip le l17 to be inserted therethrough readily. en these two nipples have been introduced into the body member 10, the third nipple 16, the external diameter of which, at its widest p01'- tion, is also less than the width of the oy ening of the connection 14, is slippe in through said opening, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, and thus brought to its ropcr position, as also indicated in Fig. 1.

f t will be understood that no turning or screwing of the nipples is required to bring them to the position shown in Fig. 1, which may be termed the normal position of the coupling parts 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,- 16, 17 before the coupling 1s connected with the pipes or other stationary parts, such as 18, 19, 20, and 22. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the nipple 15 is the one smallest in diameter (at its inner end), the nipple 16 is of somewhat larger diameter, while the diameter of the nipple 17 is still larger, and the same relation obtains, of course, with reference to the .diameters of the screw-threaded openings of the corresponding projections 11, 12, and 13 respectively, the opening of the projection 14 being even. larger than that of the projection 13. The threads at the outer ends of the three nipples are preferably tapered in the same direction as those at the inner ends of the corresponding nipples, and in any event,

for any one of the nipples, the thread at the inner end of a nipple should be of the same' direction (right or left) and of the same pitch as the thread at the outer end of the K same nipple, and also substantially or exactly of the same length. Thus, in Fig. 1, the length ofthe threaded portions at the ends of the nipple 15 is indicated at B, the length of the threaded portions at the ends of the nipple 16 is designated as B, and the length of the threaded portions at the ends of the nipple 17 as D. While not essential to my invention, it is preferable, as sho-wn, to have the length B` equal to the length B', and also to make the length D equal to the length D of the threaded portion of the opening in the projection 14, which is also, substantially, the length of the threaded portion on the pipe 22. The central chamber of the body member 10 is of a dimension related ,to the lengths B, B, and D of the threads, as follows: The dimension of said chamber in the direction of the axis of the alining projections 11, 12, should be greater than the sum of the thread lengths of said projections; in other words, the dimension A should be greater than B-i-B, or (when BzB), greater than 2 B. Similarly, the dimension C, indicating the longitudinal play of the nipple 17, measured at right angles to A, should be greater than 2 D.

It will be understood that, in this form of my invention, the parts numbered from 10 to 17 inclusive, are those which would be put on the market as constituting the improved coupling. The. other parts are vnot part of the invention, but would be found on the users premises, or supplied by the person installing the new coupling. This person would first cut off the pipes 18, 19, 21, and 22 at the proper points, so that the distances between opposing pipe ends will correspond to those required by the completed condition of the coupling, as shown 1n Fig. 1. Having cut off these pipe ends, the person would thread them as indicated, apply the sleeve 20 as illustrated, and then the body member 10, with the three nipples retracted as shown in Fig. 1, would be inserted between the pipe ends 18, 19, 22, and the sleeve 20, and would then be screwed with its projection 14 on the threaded end of the ipe 22; In the particular embodiment illiistrated, the inner end of the nipple 17 would be stopped or limited in its downward movement, by the inner ends of the .other ni ples,'or by the wider one of them,

16. As t e body 10 turns about the axis of the pipe end 22, the outer ends of the nip les l5 and 16 will, if retracted as shown in ig. 1, clear the ends of the pipe 18 and of the sleeve 2() respectively. When proper connection has thus been made with pipe 22, the three nipples 15, 16, 17 are connected, in any order that may be convenient, although probably it will be desirable to connect one of the lateral nipples 15 or 16, or' both, before effectingthe connection of the nipple 17. Inasmuch as the operation of making the connection is exactly the same for each of the three nipples, it will sufiice to describe how one of them is connected, say the nipple ,15. This is first slipped lengthwise until the two threaded portions at the ends thereofcome into engagement simultaneously, with the internal taper threads of the projection 11 and of the pipe 18 respectively. Then the nipple 15 is turned by means of a pipe wrench applied to its exposed portion, between the threaded ends, and thus a firm connection is effected at the 'same time, at both ends of saidnipple.

For shipping purposes, the article consisting of the body 10 and of the three nipples 15, 16, 17 may be packed into a very small compass, the nipple 15 being nested within the nipple 17 and the nipple 16 projecting at one side, all the parts being held together say by a wire 23, see Fig. 1*.

It will be understood that the taper thread at the inner end of each nipple, which is adapted for connection with the body 10,1 is of somewhat larger diameter than the taper thread at thefree or outer end of such nipple, so that the outer threaded end of the nipple may be slipped (without screwing) through the corresponding projection 11, 12, or 13 of the body 10. v

In the construction illustrated by Fig. 2, the body 24 is cross-shaped, having four connections or Atubular projections 25, 26, 27, 28, having internal vtaper threads, the threads of the projections 25 and 26 tapering outwardly to connect with corresponding eX- threads ta rin in the same direction as the correspon ing t reads at the inner ends, but the diameter of the threaded portion at the outer end of each nipple is smaller than the diameter of the threaded portion at the inner end of the same nipple, for the same purpose as described above in connection with Fig. 1`. The two nipples 29', 30 are shown as being alike, but'I do not wish to restrict myself to this feature. The internal threads of the projections 27 and 28 taper inwardly, that is to say, toward the central chamber of thebody 24, and as shown, the diameter of the thread atA 27 is slightly larger than the diameter of the thread at 28, but this might be varied. The nipples 29, 30, and the projection 28 connect with the pipe ends 18, 19, and 22 in the samemanner as described with reference to Fig. 1, so that the manner of effecting these connections in the case of Fig. 2 need not be explained in detail. The connection 27 is shown closed. by a screw-plug 31, so that the coupling is illustrated as a three-connection coupllng. It will be obvious however, that the same coupling might' be'used as a four-connection coupling, say by screwing a pipe connection into the projection 27, instead of the plug 31.. In this chamber of the body 32, a taper bushing 36 form of my linvention also,the longitudinal play of each nipple, within the central chamber of the body 24, would be at least equal to twice the length (B or D respectively) of the threaded nipple portions.

In Fig. 3, I have shown a three-connection coupling o r T-coupling comprising a body 32 having an internally threaded projection or connection 33, the thread of which tapers outwardly, to match a corresponding taper thread at the inner end of the nipple 34, the outer end'of which has an external taper thread of smaller diameter, but tapering in the same direction and of the same.

length as the thread atthe inner portion of the nipple. At the opposite side, the body 32 has a' tubular projection 35 screW-threaded internally with an inward taper, that is, toward the central chamber of the body 32, the opening of this projection being wide enough to allow the nipple 34 to be slipped therethrough, without screwing it. When the nipple has been thus inserted so. that its wide inner end is within the centra] is screwed into the projection 35, and this bushing may have an angular (say, hexa-; gon) head 36 for the application` ofwa wrench. The only purpose of using a bushing is that, with the dimensions shown, the;`

opening ofthe bushing being smaller than-,. the wide end of the nipple, the nipple couldf not be introduced into the body 32 if the latter were made with an opening of the same diameter as that shown for the v o penling of the bushing. The latter has aninthe pipe portions 21 and 37.

ternal screw-thread taperin towardthe inside of the body 32, and a apted for connection with a pipe portion 37, inline with. the pipe portion 21. At one side, the bodj7 32 has a tubular projection 38, having an internal screw-thread taperin toward-the inside of the body 32, and adapted to receive the correspondingly-threaded end of a pipe portion 39, extending at right angles to It will be understood that in this case also, the play A allowed for longitudinal movement of the nipple 34, is more than twice the length B of the two threaded portions 'of said nip le, that is to say, A is greater than 2 B. A er the pipe `portion 37 vhas been connected with the coupling, the nipple 34 at that timebeing partly retracted into the central chamber of the body 32, so that the threads ,at the wide end'of said nipple do not engage those of the projection 33, the nipple is moved outwardly, and as the pipes have been cut ofl' and threaded to the proper length, the two "threaded portions of the nipple will be brought into engagement simultaneously, with the threads on the tubular projection 33 and on the sleeve 20 respectively, and upon turning the nipple byA means of a Wrench applied to the smooth portion between the threads, the final coupled position illustrated in Fig. 3 will be attained. I

Fig. 4 shows a coupling substantially of the same character as in Fig. 3, but used for two connections only, viz: with the pipe portions 21 and 39, the bushing 36 being omitted, and .the third connection or tubular projection 35 being normally closed by a screw-plug 40,

Fig. 5 difers from Fig. 4vby having the lateral connection 38, arranged at an angle of 45 instead of 90 to connect with a pipe portion 39 threaded externally to fit the inwardly-tapering internal thread of said connection or projection 38. While Fig. 5 shows a screw-plug 40 performing the same function as the like plug of Fig. 4, it willl v be obvious that instead of this plug I might provide a bushing such as at v36, 36 in Fig.

3, thereby obtaining a three-connection cou- 115 pling in which the laterall connection would be at 45 to the axis of the other two cong nections.

` illustrated herein. The body 32 with. its

.outwardly-tapering internally-threaded tub ular connection 33 at one end, and the out- 125 warfd-,lytapering internally-threaded tubular-connection 35', is practically the same as third or lateral connection, and the `connection 35 receives a bushing 36 -similar to 130 fore.

Vasin difference in theconnections shown at the e the one of Fig. 3, except that the projecting head (36') is not shown, although this feature might be used on the bushing 36", 1f desired. Thenipple 34 ispracticall Hthe same as the nipple 34.- The internal t fread of the bushing `tapers inwardly and is adapted to connect with the correspondingly threaded end'of the pipe portion 37 as e- The construction and manner of applyin this coupling is the same in Fig. 9

ligs.y 6,4 7 and 8, but there is `a slight right hand portion; in F 6,7, and 8, the nipple 34 connects, as be or attached to the stationary ipe portion 21'; in Fig. 9, the right-hand en of the nipple 34 screws into the lateral connection o a T-fitting 20', having three inwardly-tapering internal threads, the other two of which connect with stationary longitudinallyalining pipe portions 41, 42, while Ithe correspending end of the pipe portion 37 is the thread length B. The body 32- fitted to a T-fitting 20"' receiving similar `alining pipe portions 41', 42. These pipes 41, 42 and 41', 42 respectively constitute two parallel lines`of pipe which are to be connected with the aid of my improved cou-` pling, while in Figs. 6 to 8 the pipe portions 21 and 37 are to be thus connected. In either event, the stationary portions, that is to say, in the case of Figs. 6 to 8, the pipe portions 21 and 37, and, in the case of Fig.`

9, the pipe portion 37 are cut to the pfo'per length and properly threaded at their ends, and then the connection is eiectedl as follows between'the stationary pipe 37 and the likewise stationary sleeve 20 or T-fitting 20 respectively, it being understood that the ipe 37 has been secured in placeat its left liand end, and that the sleeve 20 or fitting 20' is in position, so that there is a fixed distance between the free ends or openings of the pipe 37 and of the sleeve 20 or fitting 20 respectively: The nipple 34 is slipped back into the body 32 so that the total length of the coupling will be reduced; the l nipple-may be pushed back-until its en larger innerend touches the bushing 36, or almost so, as indicated in Fig. 6, where the total length of the telescoped coupling practically equals the length of the nipple, plus or rather the bushing 36, is then screwed on the pipe portion 37 ,'that'is to say, the body 32' and bushing 36" move toward the left 4(compare Fig. 7 with Fig. 6) a-dist`ance "central chamber of the f body 32.

sleeve 20,01 ofi'the T-ittin'g at the other end of the nipple-comes into likel relation tothe thread of the tubular 20', tbathread progection or connection 33 of the body 32'.4

Then, by applying'a wrench vto the nip le 34 .to lturn it the body 32' with .another wrench to keep it from turning), both ends of the nipple are screwed at the same time and equally, into the corresponding threads ofthe sleeve 20 or of the T-fitting 20' and Aof the 'pipe 37 espectively', it being understood that these our cause it to move toward the'right, out of the Inasmuch as the sleeve 20 or the T-itting 20' is absolutely stationary during the turning'of the nipple, Yit. follows that the axial -length of the. chamber, or the longitudinal movement of the nipple, should be atleast equal to the sum ofthe axial lengths of the two threads at the endsof the nipple, orwhen, as shown, the length is the same for each of Vthese threads, said play should be at least (and preferably also holdlng threads kare 'ahke in direction, pitch, I e, with a sleevk and taper. This screwing of the nipple will equal to twice the length of the thread, or y A22 B, or preferably 'A should be somewhat greater. than 2 as explained above. I prefer to make the thread at the outer or free end of the nipple 'shorter than the distance to which the nlpple projects from the body 32 in vthe fully-collapsed position (Fig. .6), so that even in that position the smooth portion'to which a wrench may be applied, will be partly exposed andreadily engaged` by such wrench; this yparticular feature however is not essential.

It will be noted that the taper thread on the en1arged,.inner end of the nipple extends to that portion of said end which is of greatest diameter; by virtue of this construction' the said enlarged end can be screwed 1n as far as required to obtain a tight fit, even beyondvthe position shown in- Fig. 8, or Fig. 9.

The coupling can be readily inserted between statlonary members, such. as the ipe 37 and the sleeve 20 or T-fltting 20', w are quite close together, in fact, kat a distance but slightly greater than the contracted or minimum length of the coupling when fully telescoped, as shown in Fig. 6. v There is no need of forcing apart, or springing sidewise, 'the ends of the stationary parts with which the `coupling coperates. The coupling cantherefore be placed readily beich tween the parts to be connected, even when these parts are absolutely stationary and rigid so that they cannot be sprung apart or swung out of the way. Further, there is no need of inclining the coupling at the time of its insertion, but it -can be slipped in straight, in alinement with the two parts to be connected. Neither is there anyneed of giving the parts of the coupling after they.

parts with. whic they connect. 'InV all these respects, my improved coupling v1s far superior to any de vice of the same class known have 'been placed,`lany\ motion 'except the one of screwin them on the stationary to me. v

.It willfbe'understood that the width of the 'central chamber of the .coupling body is reater than the outside diameter of the inner end of the nipple, .at its widest portion, so that the inner, end of the nipple, when not screwed to said body, will be ree to move or slide lengthwise in said chamber, in a direction parallel to the axis of the nipple.

' For the sake of completeness, I will now describe in detail the preferred manner of applying my improved coupling in positions such as illustrated .by Fi 9. It will be understood that the line o pipe 41, 20 42,I

-and the other line of pipe 41', 20" 42 are in position, and that thefperson doing the work has brought 'with him the improved coupling consisting of the unit formed by the parts 32', 34', and 36", which cannot become separated, `because the internal diameter of the bushing 36 is smaller than the external diameter ofthe adj ac'entend of the nipple 34. The plumber or other person also has a piece of pipe of proper diameter to form the pipe 37, but this pipe is not yetcut to proper length, land itis not threaded, or

at least it is threaded at one end only. The

`first stepconsists in placing the parts 32',

34', and 36", without the pipe 37, teinporarily in the position shown in Fig. 9; a'

space or gap will thus be left'between the threaded end ofthe pipe section 37 is screwed home pressure-tight and permanently into the bushing 36" of said unit, so as to connect this pipe firmly with the body 32'. The projecting portion of said pipe is then cut to proper length, such length being made equal to the distance previously measured be. tween the spaced ends of the body 32' and T-fitting 20", plus the length of the threaded end portion required' to connect the free end of said pipe 37 with the T-iitting 20". The cut-off end of said pipe 37 is then threaded as required. It willi be understood that this firm connection o the pipe 37 with the body 32 is eiected w ile said body is disconnected from the two lines of pipe 41, 20',

`34 is thus fullljlf 42,1 and 41', 20",42. Then the connected assembly of parts 37 36", 32', 34 (with the nipple 34'.. previouslyv retracted into the body 32 fully, in the fashion indicated in Fig. 3),' is placed between the T-fittings 20' 20, it being evident that when the nipple retracted into the body32, the total lengt of the assembly consisting of the parts 37, 36", 32', and 34will be less than the distance between the opposing ends of said T-ttings 20', 20" the assembly of said parts can therefore be introduced eadily between said fittings, without forcing or bending any of said parts. Thereupon a permanent pressure-tight connection is made with one of said fittings, say with the iitting-20", by screwing the free end of' the pipe 37 into said fitting, the screwing in of the pipe 37 being continued until the distance between the other fitting 2,0"and the end of the body 32' adjacent thereto, corresponds to the measurement previously taken between these elements at the time the coupling was placed in position temporarily as describedabove. There will thus be produced absolutely pressure-tight joints at both ends of the pipe 37. A check measurement may also be taken to determine whether the distance between the exposed end of the bushing 36" and theadjacent end of the T- fitting 20" corres onds to the measurement previously taken etween these ends. The connection "is then completed by screwing the nipple 34', tight at both ends simultaneously, where it fits into the body 32' and into the fitting 20' respectively, This inal screwing in of the nipple 34 brings it fromv a position substantially like that in Fig. 7, to the final position Fig. 9, which is very similar to that in Fig. 8. The joints at both ends of' .the pipe 37 are pressure-tight, -as stated above, and of course, the joints at both ends ofthe nipple 34 will also be pressure-tight, owing to the particular manner .of assembling the parts, and owing to the fact that the threads at both ends of the nip ple are alike in taper, pitch, and direction of the thread.A In applying the invention, it is unnecessary to count the number of entered threads at either end of nipple 34', as any diiizerences in tapping are compensated for at the time of the original trial insertion, and the final make-up will be practically identical with the temporary makeup.

Various modifications may be'made without departing from the nature of my invention as'set forth in the appended claims. The bushing 36, 36' or 36" may be omitted if the pipe 37 or corresponding stationary part is of a diameter corresponding to the screw-thread of the tubular connection 35 or 35.

I claim as my invention f 1. A high-pressure coupling for pipes and other artiolescomprising a body having a central cham like pitch, and direction of thread as said.Y

inner end, and the `clearance provided in said chamber for the movement of the nipple lengthwise of its own axis, bein atleast equal to the combined length of sal threaded portions of the nipple. 4 y y 2. A high-pressure coupling for lpes and the like, comprising -a tubular bo y and a nipple-arran ed for telescopic connection with said bo y, said body having two axially-alining spaced threads near its V respective ends and a central chamber the diameter of which is-greater than that of the thread on the side through which the nipple projects, the len hor clearance for the'slidmg movement `o the nipple `in said chamber being at least equal to the aggregate length of the two threaded portions of said body,l

and the nipple having, near its ends, two spaced threads of likepitch and direction, one of which is an external thread extendin -to that portion of the oorrespondin en which is of greatest diameter,said t read being adapted to screw into one of the threads of said body, all of lsaid threads tapering in the same direction lengthwise of the cou ling.

'3. A high-pressure coupling for ipes and other artlcles, comprisin a tub ar body and a nipple arranged or telescopic connection with said body, both provided with 'screw threads near their ends, the body having a central chamber of greater diameterv than that screw-thread of` the bod which is adapted for connection with sai nipple,

the longitudinal play of the nipple in said l 'chamber being in excess of the aggregate length of the two screw-threads ofv said body, and that threaded portion of the nip- -ple which is adapted for connection with the body, being movable freely within said threade ends of the nlppl chamber when the threads of the nipple aref" out of engagement with those of the body, all four screw-threads being tapered in .the same direction lengthwise o the coupling.v

4. Apipe high-pressure coupling adapted .I

connections, two of said nipples being adapted to be nested. one ,within the other.

6. A pipe high-pressure coupling adapted for three-way connections, comprisin a body having two aliningtubular connections and a lateral connection atan angle thereto, and a nipple 'having one end fitted within said boddy with longitudinal pla and screwto engage thescrew-t read of one of saidl connections, the other end of said nipple having a'screW-thread of like pitch and direction Vto connect with a stationary member, the said longitudinal play ofsaid nipple in the body being in excess of the aggregate length of the two screw-threaded portions of the nipple.

7. A high-pressure coupling for pipes and other articles, comprising a body'havingan outwardly tapering threaded opening at one end, a stop-shoulder at the opposite end, said shoulder extending closer to the axis of the body than said taper-thread, and acentral chamber between said thread and said stopshoulder, and a 'telescoping nipple having similarly threaded inner and outer ends, said inner end having, within said central chamber, a longitudinal play in excess of the aggregate length of the two threaded In testimony whereof, I have signed this,

specification.

JOHN ELDER. 

